Cleveland Browns (2008 Season)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Their offensive rankings are pathetic.....

8.7 ppg (32nd), 194 total yards ppg (32nd), 121.7 passing yards ppg (31st) and 72.3 yards ppg rushing (30th)

Yet, no changes have been made on offense? A 43.5 passer rating for a pro bowl QB is unbelievable.

With the offense doing nothing it is amazing that the defense has actually improved....

22.0 ppg (18th), 347 yards ppg (23rd), 202 passing yards ppg (18th) and 145 yards ppg rushing (25th)

 

[schwab]

Worth a look?

ESPN - Rams cast aside starting cornerback Brown, sign ex-Saint Craft - NFL

By John Clayton
ESPN.com

Updated: September 24, 2008, 12:41 PM ET

In their second major move in two days, the St. Louis Rams released starting cornerback Fakhir Brown and signed former Saints cornerback Jason Craft as a roster replacement.
On Tuesday, the Rams, under pressure because of an 0-3 start, benched starting quarterback Marc Bulger and replaced him with Trent Green. Coach Scott Linehan was expected to address the moves Wednesday at a news conference.

The 31-year-old Brown was considered the team's best coverage option and made 27 starts the past three seasons since going to the Rams from the Saints. His release comes only a week after the benching of another Rams starting cornerback, Tye Hill.

Cont...

Eh?

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Browns stick with QB Anderson against Bengals


Associated Press

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

BEREA ? Derek Anderson has kept his starting quarterback job with Cleveland for now.
Anderson, who was ineffective during the Browns' three-game losing streak, will start Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Coach Romeo Crennel considered benching Anderson for popular second-year backup Brady Quinn, who has played in only one game as a pro.
Crennel refused to give reasons for sticking with Anderson.
"I'm not getting into the what ifs, the whens, the wheres, how long or anything like that about this decision," Crennel said. "The decision is made and that's what it's going to be."
Anderson made the Pro Bowl last season but has been in a prolonged slump dating to the final weeks of 2008. He's thrown two touchdown passes and five interceptions this season, and owns the league's second-worst quarterback rating.
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[osugrad21]

CPD

One starts, the other's 'ready': Crennel's choice is a QB two-step vs. Bengals

by Tony Grossi Wednesday September 24, 2008, 6:59 PM


Joshua Gunter/The Plain DealerIf either Derek Anderson (left) or Brady Quinn is seen looking toward the Browns sidelines on Sunday in Cincinnati, it won't be a surprise. Anderson will start, but has been told by head coach Romeo Crennel that Quinn will be "ready" to take over.


The scent of change is in the air, even though, for now, nothing has changed with the Browns' quarterback situation. Romeo Crennel announced Wednesday that Derek Anderson would start Sunday's game in Cincinnati against the Bengals.
The coach would not say who would finish it.
But a tipoff was his statement: "Anderson is the starter and [Brady] Quinn will be ready.
"I'm not going into the what-ifs, the whens, the wheres or how long, or anything about this decision," Crennel added before taking questions. "But the decision was made and that's what it's going to be, and we're going to go forward and try to get ready for the Cincinnati game."

Anderson's starting job is on the line because the high-flying offense he piloted a year ago has crashed and burned.
The Browns (0-3) are last in scoring, last in total offense and last in passing. Anderson is next-to-last in passer rating (43.5) and tied for last in interceptions (five).
One of the truest statistics by which quarterbacks are measured is average gain per pass attempt. That figure this year for Anderson is 4.35 yards -- next-to-last among all quarterbacks. He was 12th a year ago at 7.19.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Romeo's choice? It was no choice at all

by Terry Pluto Wednesday September 24, 2008, 6:58 PM


The Browns did exactly what I feared -- announced Derek Anderson would start Sunday in Cincinnati, but they also saidBrady Quinn had better stay "ready."
If you're Anderson, the message is clear: Don't mess up or you sit.
If you're Quinn, you are told to prepare like a starter, only you will split the snaps inpractices with Anderson.
If you're the other players, you have to wonder who the coaches want to be the quarterback.
This is absolutely, positively the wrong approach because of its indecision.


John Kuntz/The Plain DealerROMEO'S HOOK
Romeo Crennel has changed quarterbacks in every season he has been Browns coach. Here's a look at the circumstances.

2005
In Game 10, starter Trent Dilfer was pulled during a 22-0 victory over Miami. Charlie Frye played one series in the second quarter and two series in the fourth quarter. After the game, Dilfer was visibly upset with the coach's decision.
In Game 11, a 24-12 loss at Minnesota, Frye received one series in the fourth quarter. Actually, it was one play -- an interception.
Frye started the final five games, playing every snap, and won two.

2006
In Game 12, Frye suffered an injury to his wrist. Derek Anderson relieved him and orchestrated a comeback overtime win over the Chiefs, 31-28.
Anderson started the next three games, losing each.
Frye returned to start Game 16, a 14-6 loss in Houston.

2007
In Game 1 against Pittsburgh, Frye was yanked in the second quarter after suffering five sacks and one interception. Anderson finished the game.
Two days later, Frye was traded to Seattle. Anderson started the remaining 15 games, winning 10, and earning an alternate spot in the Pro Bowl.
In Game 16, Anderson left in the second quarter with a finger injury. Brady Quinn came in for one series and led Browns to a field goal. Anderson started the second half and finished the game.
-- Tony Grossi
Crennel is a conservative, loyal man. The coach feels an attachment to Anderson, who saved the 2007 season after the disheartening 34-7 loss to Pittsburgh in the opener as Anderson was 10-5 as a starter. Crennel could have said, "I believe in D.A. He's my guy and I'm sticking with him."
Like it or not, that is a firm approach.

Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Anderson can keep his job, but where will he (or the Browns) locate his lost swagger?

by Bill Livingston Wednesday September 24, 2008, 6:58 PM



What, Romeo Crennel couldn't find a coin to flip?
So now Derek Anderson, the quarterback with the big feet and the fragile core of confidence, is on double public probation?
Brady Quinn, who looks more and more like the quarterback of the future, maybe as soon as the Browns get the bye week out of the way, is to "be ready?"
This non-decision decision recalls last year, when Crennel called heads or tails to decide the starter in the exhibition opener.
Crennel is giving Anderson one last chance not to fall apart like cheap plaster when pressure is applied. And pressure has been a constant, given the dismal state of the Browns' offensive line.
Last year, Anderson became a phenomenon, starting with his five touchdown passes in the second game against the Bengals. Browns fans in a heavily Catholic city in which Notre Dame is the second favorite college team behind Ohio State, were primed to burst out with chants in support of Quinn, who was the quarterback the last time the Fighting Irish were spunky.
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[osugrad21]

CPD

Browns Insider: Edwards acknowledges feeling 'pressure,' but plans to have fun vs. Bengals

by Mary Kay Cabot Wednesday September 24, 2008, 8:15 PM


Joshua Gunter/The Plain DealerBrowns receiver Braylon Edwards is hoping to repeat his performance from last season's first meeting against the Bengals, when he had eight receptions good for a pair of touchdowns.
Receiver Braylon Edwards, who's far off his Pro Bowl pace, vowed Wednesday to stop pressing. "I'm trying to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders," he said. "I think that's what all my teammates are doing. But today is the start of a 13-game season. I'm going back to having fun with what they trust me to do. I'm putting too much pressure on myself and it's not working for me."
Edwards, who was limited in practice Wednesday with his shoulder injury, heads into Week 4 with only eight catches for 73 yards and no TDs. He also has about six drops. At this time last season, he had 15 catches for 278 yards and 3 TDs. He said he and Derek Anderson will work hard after practice and even at home to regain their timing.
"We know what we can be," said Edwards. "We know where we were going. D.A. and I were in a rhythm that was beginning to be like no other. Family night, the Jets game, but those days are over with. We both have to come off injuries and there's no more excuses. It's three weeks into the game and we have to get back to where we were."

He acknowledged that opponents are taking him away deep and Kellen Winslow away over the middle and that the strategy has been effective.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Brown hints change needed at quarterback

by Tony Grossi Wednesday September 24, 2008, 7:06 AM

File photoJim Brown
Hall of Famer Jim Brown made his feelings about the quarterback situation known on an appearance Monday night on "Pro Football Central," an Internet radio show. Brown, who holds the title of executive adviser with the Browns, told the interviewer that he had been in organization meetings all day and "we all seem to be in one accord. But it's up to the coach to make the final decision on his lineup this week.
But if he makes the right decision on his lineup this week, I think we can be out of this terrible kind of depression we're in."
Brown was asked if he was talking about Brady Quinn. He replied: "We don't have a superstar quarterback. We have two that have tremendous potential.
One has played a lot more than the other has, successfully, and also had some failure. If we try Brady this week, it's a change of pace. Why not have a change of pace that might bring you a spark? And if he doesn't cut it, we can bring the other guy back, and we can bring Brady back.
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[osugrad21]

Canton

Anderson remains quarterback, but Quinn will be ready if needed
Thursday, September 25, 2008
BY STEVE DOERSCHUK
[email protected]

BEREA The stakes have been raised in The Battle of Ohio.

"We've got a must-win game for us right now," Brady Quinn said.

It could become Quinn's game to win. For now, quarterback is Derek Anderson's job to lose.

Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel kicked off the practice cycle for the Cincinnati game by conceding who plays quarterback is "the big issue."

"We decided that going through the week without making a decision on it is not going to be good for anybody," Crennel said, "so we decided that Anderson is the starter, and Quinn will be ready."

Crennel decided not to elaborate.

"I am not going into the what-ifs, whens, the wheres, how long or anything like that," he said.

Quinn has spent the first three weeks as the scout-team quarterback, pretending to be Tony Romo, then Ben Roethlisberger, then Joe Flacco.

Humbling?

"I don't really look at it as humbling," the former Notre Dame superstar said with a big grin. "If anything, it's fun, because there's a lot of times when things break down and you're running plays the defense has never seen before ... it's like a backyard football game sometimes."

This week, Quinn gets it both ways, pretending to be Carson Palmer, and preparing for a very realistic chance he will play against Palmer's team.

Often, a quarterback controversy can be an explosive distraction. For the 0-3 Browns, it could be a healthy diversion.

Stagnation is replaced by mystery.
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[LitlBuck]

The 31-year-old Brown was considered the team's best coverage option

I don't understand why the Browns don't think this guy up and at least give him a try. I don't think he can be worse than some of our current backups at CB or maybe he could be. It just would be nice to see someone else can it be for a 1st down or TD rather than the same old guys.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ravens accuse Browns of intentionally injuring McGahee

The Baltimore Ravens accused certain Cleveland players of intentionally gouging the eyes of tailback Willis McGahee on two occasions in last Sunday's 28-10 victory against the Browns.
The Ravens reported the incidents by sending tapes to the league office earlier this week.
"We talked to the league," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said during his weekly news conference Wednesday. "We asked them for their opinion on what happened, and we're waiting to hear back on it."
The Ravens are withholding the names they reported to the NFL. But in reviewing the tape, Cleveland middle linebacker Andra Davis is one of the players in question. Davis can be seen reaching under McGahee's visor and poking him in the right eye during a tackle near the goal line midway through the third quarter.

Entire article: ESPN - Ravens accuse Browns of intentionally injuring McGahee - NFL

 

[LitlBuck]

Bunch of whiners! Winning the game wasn't enough. They have to complain about being poked in the eye. We learned that from Edwards. He brought that from sCum.:(

 

[jimotis4heisman]

Their offensive rankings are pathetic.....

8.7 ppg (32nd), 194 total yards ppg (32nd), 121.7 passing yards ppg (31st) and 72.3 yards ppg rushing (30th)

Yet, no changes have been made on offense? A 43.5 passer rating for a pro bowl QB is unbelievable.

With the offense doing nothing it is amazing that the defense has actually improved....

22.0 ppg (18th), 347 yards ppg (23rd), 202 passing yards ppg (18th) and 145 yards ppg rushing (25th)

wasnt he technically an alternate pick? so he backed into it?

 

[jlb1705]

wasnt he technically an alternate pick? so he backed into it?

I don't know if that's fair. You still have to have a pretty good season to be an alternate. It's not so many people backed out that it was down to him and Cleo Lemon. Whether or not that performance was indicative of the "real" Derek Anderson is another matter though.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

wasnt he technically an alternate pick? so he backed into it?

yep...but is it so bad to be an alternate behind Brady and Manning?

What is real pathetic is that he doesn't even have the WORST QB rating in the NFL.........now that is scary.

CPD

Browns Insider: Something special is lacking

by Tony Grossi Thursday September 25, 2008, 7:11 PM


David I. Anderson/Plain Dealer file photoAveraging 45.2 yards per kick, Browns punter Dave Zastudil is one of the few bright spots on the special teams in the first month of the season.


The saying "you don't know what you've got till it's gone" could apply to the Browns special teams.
Not that they were unappreciated last year. But the fact they are not performing at their former level is magnified with the offense sputtering and the defense, well, just out there.
"We've talked about it, but we're now experiencing it," said kicker Phil Dawson. "When we don't get the big return, when we don't pin the team deep in their own territory, when we don't make the big play, it's harder for our offense and defense to capitalize on momentum and get it going. More than ever, we understand our role on this team and we see how important it is."

Continued........